Adjustable lock wedge



J. LAZAR ADJUSTABLE LOCK WEDGE Feb. 1, 1949.

Filed Maren 15, 1946 3 7. LT 1? 1H 2) w; @v F Egg Patented Feb. 1, 1.949

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,460,643 ADJUSTABLE LOCK WEDGE John Lazar, West Allis, Wis. Application March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,651

1 Claim.

This invention relates to wedges such as are used in holding the heads of hammers, axes, sledges and the like to their respective handles and relates particularly to most positive but adjustable means for locking such a wedge after being applied to the object being expanded thereby, the same being a major object accomplished.

Another object is to provide a most simple and readily adjustable means applicable to a wedge of ordinary shape and general appearance.

Another object is to provide such means in which portions thereof must readily coacts with simple means for harmlessly and easily removing the wedge associated therewith. Other objects and advantages will appear as the invention is further disclosed.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing forming part of the application Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a wedge provided with two of the novel locking means.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 showing one of the keys in active position as a lock and the other inactive as such.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through a handle and an edge elevation of one of the locked g5 wedges therein in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the flattened side of the locking key member. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the wedge member on the line 55 Fig. 1, showing the locking key removed and a common tap bolt installed in the threaded bore of the wedge to permit of the extraction of the wedge from a tool handle as by a claw hammer or the like.

Fig. 6 is a like sectional view on line 55, Fig. 1, showing more in detail the structure of the keys or locking element.

It is to be understood that any number of the externally threaded so-called locking keys may be used in a single wedge and doubtless but one would function admirably in an ordinary wedge.

In the drawing I represent a common metal wedge, such for example, as used in an ordinary hammer it being shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as equipped with. two of the so-calledlocking keys 2 and 3.

In Fig. 1 the keys are shown with their driver slots aligned bringing their flat opposed tapered surfaces in the same opposed planes of the wedge I, thus in no wise interfering with the functioning of the wedge when being driven with the keys installed therein, see Figs. 1 and 6.

In Fig. 2 the key 3 is illustrated in its inactive position while its twin 2 is turned with its driver slot at right angles to that of the key 3 or transverse the wedge as is also apparent in Fig. 3, it being of course understood that the screw threaded keys are rotated by the use of a common hand screw driver applied within the driver receiving slots transverse the upper end of each key.

In Fig. 5 the simple instrumentality ioraiding in the removal of the wedge from its active position when desired is shown and which includes the removal of at-least one of the keys from the wedge and substituted therefor the cap screw 4 to which the claws of a hammer or pinch bar may then be applied for pulling out of the wedge as is quite apparent. In this manner the preservation of the wedge for further use becomes quite simple, and such preservation of the wedge is deemed meritorious in the instant invention.

In the construction of a locking wedge of this ype it is found desirable to form the upper .rim of the subsequently threaded bore for the key just a trifle larger than the diameter of the threads therein as clearly seen at 5 in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6,. this being to guard against any possible upsetting of the rim of the hole that might occur from driving in the wedge, interfering with the adjustment of the key.

This enlargement is indicated at 5 in the drawing and the reference numeral 6 indicates por-. tions of the handle of the instrument to which the wedge is applied.

It is also to be noted that the key or keys may be installed within the blank or stock from which the wedge is subsequently formed or the keys inserted after the wedge is formed and then ground flush with the beveled walls thereof.

Another feature and advantage of such a wedge is, that when initially used in the manufacture of a quantity of tools that are to be stored for some time and thus subject to some shrinkage of the handles, the locking devices of the wedges may be readily unlocked and the wedges driven a further in and relocked for better sales appeal of the goods.

Having thus described one embodiment of my invention, what I claim is:

A wedge for securing a wooden shaft in the socket of a tool head comprising a wedge shaped blank, a rotatable locking key member installed longitudinally within said blank, and saidkey member being tapered on two opposed sides so as to be flush with the sides of said wedge when in unlocked position characterized by said key when partially rotated having opposed untapered portions which extend outwardly from said wedge blank, further characterized by said outwardly extending portions having ribs thereon for firm engagement with said shaft.

. JOHN LAZAR.

(References on following page) 3 REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the 1 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Number Name Date ggi g 55,437 Wooding June 5, 1866 309390 267,703 Makepeace Nov. 21, 1882 Name v Date Hair Nov. 24, 1908 Plumb Aug. 15,1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Apr. 8, 1922 Great Britain Apr. 9, 1929 

